I was a Los Angeles Fireman for 14 years, most of the big incidents were covered by news crews and especially a lot of freelancers. Never once in 14 did I ever see a camera person hassled for credentials etc. I recall several incidents (car wrecks at night on the old 110 fwy) where I was GLAD camera crews were there cuz their on board lights lit the place up really well! making our jobs easier!

Moral of the story? Move to LA!